birdsfoot trefoil

Lotus corniculatus L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Lotus corniculatus is an invasive low-growing, perennial forb with stems that can reach 2 ft. (0.6 m) long.
Foliage
Leaves are compound (with 5 oval to linear leaflets), stipulate and alternate. Leaflets (upper 3) are 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) long and less than 0.13 in. (0.3 cm) wide; the lower two resemble leaf-like stipules. Flowering occurs from May to August, when yellow, sweet pea-like flowers develop.
Flowers
Flowers develop in clusters of 2-8 on a long peduncle (stalk).
Fruit
Fruits are pods that occur in head-like clusters. Each pod is brown to black, cylindrical, 0.6-1.4 in. (1.5-3.5 cm) long, contains up to 49 seeds and has a persistent style at the apex.
Ecological Threat
Lotus corniculatus is native to Eurasia and North Africa and occurs in pastures, roadsides, wetlands, disturbed grasslands and riparian areas.

Resources

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Flower(s)
David Cappaert, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s)
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s)
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seed(s)
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 359.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Distribution